D O C . 4 5 5 T R A V E L D I A R Y 4 4 9
14.
Before noon played music with a young widow and youth; it was very mediocre.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Jerusalem reads her play aloud to the very nice captain. Con-
flict between Jewish milieu and a son seeking a larger range of ideas and activity,
a Jesus figure. Overly abstract but gripping nonetheless. Explained to the woman
the underlying idea of relativity.
In the morning, a birthday letter was brought to
me.[17]
I really was touched. In
the evening conversation about the essence of religion with Jesinghaus under won-
derful starry skies. Sunset with wondrous illumination of the island Fogo (Cape
Verde).[18]
The tip of that precipitously looming mountain island glowed, the rest
in matte blue.
15.
First tropical day. Dim yet still pleasant with overcast sky.
17.
Today equator party with Neptune and baptism. Much harmless larking about.
Played music variously with the trusty widow Ohnesorg and a young painted Chil-
ean woman. Because attendance at the party on the 19th is obligatory. I also have
to deliver a relativ[ity] lecture to the officers. Splendid isolation is crumbling. But
the voyage won’t be lasting forever, either. Heat 22 Ré. in the
shade.[19]
Thoroughly
sweaty at night. I have become convinced that is not the
right thing. Conviction about the impossibility of field theory in its present mean-
ing is strengthening.[20] What a pity that Margot isn’t here. Being alone is nice, but
not alone among many stranger-monkeys.
19.
Day before yesterday, equator party in first class; yesterday in second class. In
the former, the Argentines cut a bad figure. Rich class. Blasé, but also childish. In
the latter naive, grateful people. Captain, good jokes (buckshot in urine; patient
with pain traveling from top down). Today, visit of the engine and boiler rooms.
Great impression. In the evening, concert in 1st class. I played in a quartet Mozart’s
Nachtmusik and then Beethoven’s Romance in F major.[21] Argentines unspeakably
dull creatures. They are to me, at least,—as concerns intellect and other sub-
stance—M[embers] [of the] I[dle] R[ich] C[lass].[22] Jesinghaus showed me popu-
lar Argentine music, originating from the Incas. Naturalistic and grand. Glorious
things must have perished with that nation. I kid a lot with panther cat, who is con-
stantly probing me. She is amusing in her serious and impertinent way; Jewess of
Russian type.
[p. 8]
[p. 9]
Rik
1
4
--gikR)
-
–
(
Tikel =
[p. 10]
[p. 11]